Cover-fastener for boxes



c. L. SHELTONf COVER FASTENER FOR BOXES. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 12, I919.

1,33285302. Patented Jan. 20;1920.

.TILV elai'or.

C. L. S/CBZZLOIZ/L UNITED %TATES PATENT OFFIFQE.

CARL L. SHELTON, 0F GREENFIELD, TENNESSEE, .ASSIGNOR OFONE-I-IALF 'TO VERMONT BOX COMPANY, OF BRISTOL, VERMONT.

COVER-FASTENER FOR BOXES.

Application filed August 12, 1919.

One object of my invention is the provi sion of a cover fastener which will occupy a small amount of space and at all times be out of the way and not interfere with the opening and closing of the cover, and which will permit the proper opening of the cover,

but when necessary will secure the cover in fastened position and absolutely prevent the cover from becoming released.

Another object of my invention is the pro-v vision of a box cover fastening particularly constructed for securing the cover of boxes used for mailing jewelry, optical goods and other class of merchandise where it is necessary to secure the cover but permit the release of the cover under proper conditions.

Another object of my invention is the provisionof a fastener whichwillbe of the simplest and cheapest possible construction to add little to the cost of the box, which will be absolutely reliable and efficient in operation and possess the required durability and which generally in all important respects will prove entirely useful and practical.

With the attainment of these and other objects in View, which are inherent to an invention of this character the invention broadly stated consists in the combination with a box and its sliding cover of a spring yoke or clip having a portion to engage a groove in the cover and having its ends suitably anchored in the box.

The invention further consists of a fastener for box covers embodying novel features of construction and combination of parts substantially as shown, described and particularly defined and distinguished by the claims.

In order that the detailed construction and operation of my fastener may be fully understood and its features of merit and ad- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 20, 1920.

Serial No. 316,946.

vantages be appreciated I inviteattentionto the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a box employing a sliding cover and showing my fastener applied to the box, the cover being slightly moved or open to illustrate the manner of forcing the cover under theyoke in effecting the fastening of the cover; Fig. 2 represents a perspective view ofthe fastener in position upon the box and showing in dotted lines'aportion of the box with" the cover in closed position; I

view of the box provided with a fastener of modified construction, and

Fig. l-represents atop plan view of this form of the box showing the cover in locked position.

Referring bynumeral to the drawings in whichthe same numerals of reference are the construction being such as is in general use, or any form of box may be used with. whlch my fastener would operate.

Fig. 3 represents a transverse sectional The cover is provided'with-aitransverse groove 4 and a contiguous finger depression 5, which groove is adaptedito register-w1th grooves 6 formed in the upper edges of the sides of the box, while the bottom of the box is provided with grooves 7 forming seats for the inturned transversely disposed anchoring members 8, of the yoke shaped clip or fastener. Extending upward from the said ends 8 are the V-shaped spring arms 9 which impart to the fastener an elastic or spring action, to cause the longitudinally curved locking portion 10 of the fastener to bear downwardly and seat in the grooves 6 of the box andv cause the inner portion 11 of the fastener to spring into the groove 4 of the cover to efiect the fastening of said cover.

From this construction it will be observed that the cover is provided with a groove which when said cover is closed registers with grooves of the box and that in the operation of locking the cover the closed engaging portion of the fastenerupon registration of said grooves of the cover and a reliable fastening of the cover and insures the cover against improper or accidental release, while when necessary to release the cover it is simply necessary to raise the engaging portion of the fastener by the insertion of the finger nail'thereunder, which permits the cover to be slid to open position.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4 while the operation is practically the same as in the principal construction of my fastener the device consists of a wire clip having a depressed engaging or latching portion 12, and a pair of depending arms 13 having inturned ends 14L to engage the sides of the box.

The operation of this form of my invention is identical with that of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and in both forms the engaging portion of the spring member or clip engages the groove in the cover to effect the locking while release of the fastening is attained by slightly lifting the engaging portion of the fastener sulficient to release it from the groove and permit the opening of the cover.

It will be observed that the fastener or clip occupies a small amount of space and adds very little to the cost of the box while providing a fastener which cannot become detached from the box and which cannot be accidentally released but under proper conditions can be operated with ease to unfasten the cover.

It will also be observed that the fastener is automatic in action and instantly upon registering of the grooves of the cover and box will spring into position to secure the cover and that the improvement is particularly useful upon boxes used for mailing jewelry, optical goods and valuables of any character where necessary to employ a fastening of this type.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. The combination with a box having a cover, of a length of longitudinally curved spring metal traversing said cover and said box, and anchoring devices associated with said length of spring metal, said cover and said box being provided with transverse grooves adapted for registration for receiving said length of longitudinally curved spring metal, whereby the cover may be securely retained in closed position.

1 The combination with a box having a sliding cover, of a length of longitudinally curved spring metal traversing the box and the cover, the portions of said length of spring metal beyond said box being formed to provide V-shaped spring members arranged closely in contact with opposite sides of the box, the terminal portions of said length of spring metal being extended in wardly and anchored to the underside of the box said box and said cover being provided with transverse grooves adapted for registration for receiving the adjacent portion of said length of spring metal.

3. A locking device for boxes having sliding covers including a longitudinally curved length of spring metal adapted to be ar ranged transversely of a box and the cover of the same in looking engagement with the cover and the box, V-shaped arms connected to the ends of said length of spring metal and arranged flatly in contact with the sides of the box, and transversely extending anchoring members secured to the lower portions of said V-shaped arms and in engagement with the underside of the box for securing the device in position. i

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CARL L. SHELTON. [L.s.] 

